Turf moor redevelopment plans revealed

MAJOR plans to redevelop Turf Moor, including creating a new museum and club shop, have been unveiled.

The scheme, said to be worth more than £1million, also includes new offices, ticket office and hospitality space at the ground off Harry Potts Way.

The current building, which houses the club offices, ticket office and Clarets shop, would be demolished to make way for a new 4,500 sq ft ground floor retail space.

New suspended first floor offices and hospitality areas between the current hospitality lounges in the Bob Lord Stand and the existing offices above the ticket office and Clarets store would be created.

All office staff would then be moved upstairs, with a matchday ticket office located on the ground floor and the new museum on the first floor.

Plans have now been lodged with Burnley Council but there is no timescale for work at this stage, the club said.

The scheme has been welcomed by fans groups and council chiefs, who said it would improve the look of the ground to the rest of the town.

Peter Pike, chairman of the Clarets Trust, said: “I think the plans make better use of the space available and will make it look more attractive than what went up in the 1960s.

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“This side of the ground is what people tend to see and it is important that it looks good. From the picture it looks very modern and will present a good image of the club and the ground.”

A club spokesman said the museum would house artefacts, trophies and memorabilia, much of which is currently locked away in storage at the moment.

Earlier this summer a delegation from the club visited Rugby League club Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium to look at a unique display wall they have under one stand.

That shows off the history of the club along one wall, with artefacts and photographs. But despite being keen on the idea Turf Moor chiefs are yet to find a suitable area of the ground to use.

Mr Pike said: "The club has been around for over 130 years and it has been on that site since 1883. During that time they have collected a lot of memorabilia.

“At the moment things like that are either stored away or in different places around the ground. I think a lot of people would be interested in looking round a museum with everything under one roof.”

Coun Julie Cooper, a Clarets season ticket holder who also represents the Bank Hall ward, said: “I welcome the investment from the club in the facilities.

“We have got to look the part back in the Premier League and as we know a lot of things are about image these days.

“In the past there have been complaints from residents when planning applications from the club have been submitted, but as long as they are consulted and listened to I think this is good for the club and the town.

“The facilities did need updating and this is a great time to do it while the town is still in celebratory mood.”

As well as the plans for development outside the ground, there is also a hive of activity going on inside Turf Moor as the club prepares for its Premier League return.

The tunnel is being moved from the middle of the David Fishwick Stand, to the corner of that and the James Hargreaves Stand.

The former tunnel, which had been used since 1969, will be covered over for seating so that the whole of the David Fishwick Stand can be handed over to away supporters.

The press box is also being expanded, to accommodate more of the world’s media next season.

An overseas broadcasters’ area is being built in block four, while two television studies are being converted from the corporate and University College of Football Business (UCFB) facilities.

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A third, slung, low-level gantry is being installed in the void between the upper and lower tiers of the James Hargreaves Stand for use by 3D TV cameras and overseas broadcasters.

Goalline technology in the form of 'Hawkeye', the Premier League's chosen system, is also being installed, with cameras in all four stands relaying incidents directly to the referee to avoid any controversy over whether the ball has crossed the line or not.

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